This news article will explain and expose the history behind the Avenue M School in Galveston, Texas. Booker T Washing Elementary School aka Washington Annex and Avenue M School is one of Galveston’s lesser known but well remembered schools.
The East District School and West District School reorganized in the 1930s. The school on the eastern end of town became known as Booker T. Washington Elementary School and was located at 27th and Avenue M. The West District School evolved into George W. Carver School along 35th Street and Avenue M 1/2. (Ref: http://rosenberg-library-museum.org/exhibits/past-gallery-exhibits/vftp/online-exhibit/)
Booker T. Washington Elementary School opened circa 1934 during the Great Depression. The building was a 2-story brick building with stucco floors and terrazzo tile. The building was known for its stunning solid rugged brick appearance.
Booker T. Washington Elementary School was the least affected Galveston ISD school affected by the 1943 storm. The amount of damage done to the school was $725.63 which was the lowest. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/23456264/)
“The report disclosed that every school building in the city was damaged to some extent by the storm. The damage at the Booker T. Washington School in the amount of $725.63 was the lowest. The damage at the Sam Houston School was the highest, totaling $8,198.77.”
Joe Palmer and Erwin Huttne did the plaster work on Booker T. Washington School. M. Reed was responsible for reconditioning the Booker T. Washington School. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/23450940/)
Booker T. Washington Elementary School later became Washington Annex. Washington Annex was the old building across Avenue M from Kermit Courville Stadium and at one time was a Central High School building annex. The school was the old Central High School annex.
The board also authorized establishment of a cafeteria in the Washington School Annex in 1961. The annex had no cafeteria prior to 1961. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/30144849/)
Remedial programs for problem students were housed in the Washington School Annex in 1972 as the Controlled Environment Studies Center. The Controlled Environment Studies Center funded almost entirely by federal funds. Galveston ISD approved a spending expenditure of up to $52,000 for improving facilities at the Washington Annex for the new center. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/23385910/)
The Controlled Environment Studies Center was primarily a detention center where high school and middle school students were assigned there for their three to five day suspension periods and for an indefinite period if expelled. The students were kept off the streets and the school district kept up its average daily attendance for state aid. The students brought assignments from their regular teachers and studied as in a study hall. The "Controlled Environment Center" became the "Guidance Center" in March 1972. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/22198303/)
[The Galveston school district last year opened a Controlled Environment Center, a novel experiment for the district to serve as a "last chance" for youngsters before being severed from the school district. The center, opened in an old church educational building at 19th and Avenue I and since moved to the Washington Annex on 27th Street, was primarily a detention center. High school and middle school students were assigned there for their three to five day suspension periods and for an indefinite period if expelled. The students were kept off the streets and the school district kept up its average daily attendance for state aid. The students brought assignments from their regular teachers and studied as In a study hall. The director was busy, mainly keeping order, but he counseled the youngsters as time permitted. Then, with the start of the new semester in January, with additional federal funds forthcoming at that time, the "Controlled Environment Center" became the "Guidance Center." "The school district expanded the center to provide additional instruction, guidance and counseling for these problem youngsters. Community resources are now being tapped to bring students into touch with the world beyond school and to give them help in finding a place in that world. Galveston College students, for example, are volunteering as tutors. (Other volunteer tutors would be welcomed.)
Local businessmen are serving as speakers and helping with field trips. Other speakers are used from the medical complex, local industries and various agencies. The idea of punishment was dropped in the transition from "Controlled Environment Center" to "Guidance Center," explains Dr. Hay Hassctt, assistant director for research and develop - mnt and in charge of the center while it remains an experimental program. Students assigned to the center still may call it "tin; rock" and refer to themselves as "lifers," but the staff concentrates on disgnosing the reasons for the students' asocial behavior. Every student entering the center is given aptitude and achievement tests. Mrs. Fran Holcomb. diagnostician, places this information in their permanent records for use by the center staff and by teachers and counselors at their regular schools. Students arc assigned to one of two classes, each with a maximum student load of 20 and each with a certified teacher. The teachers use materials of their respective courses and grade levels to keep them with their regular classes. There is much emphasis upon individual instruction and individual study because each student could be in a different course at a different level.
A library and resource center is being developed with materials for all levels. Included are reading labs and special equipment for individualized study. Classes arc held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the same as in regular schools. Students walk across the street to Washington Elementary School for lunch, A variety of problems has brought the youngsters to the center, and the staff places great importance upon the individualized approach to each student. For some students it's a matter of attitude. They may need encouragement or goals. Another must have poor study habits. He must learn to study. A most common problem is reading difficulty which has led to frustration and then boredom in the classroom and finally to disobedience. Other times physical impairments are discovered. In the case of youngsters with family problems, the younger brothers or sisters to care for or the lack of appropriate clothing to wear, two home - school coordinators are available to be a liason between home and school. Often these coordinators can point the way to social agencies which can help. Claud Bolton, resource specialist, said the community response has been quite gratifying in his first months of arranging for tutors, speakers, field trips, and such to augment the regular instruction.]
Washington Annex was the old building across Avenue M from Kermit Courville Stadium and at one time was a Central High School building annex. Galveston's Guidance Center School was located at Washington Annex. Galveston's new Guidance Center School moved into its new quarters at 39th Street and Avenue T in 1973. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/23870694/)
“Galveston's new Guidance Center School has moved into its new quarters. The school, a special counseling, testing and learning center for students referred from the middle schools and the high school for adjustment problems, was located in the old Washington Annex. The annex is the old building across Avenue M from Public School Stadium and at one time was a Central High School building. The new Guidance Center School building was recently completed next to the school Administration Building at 39th Street and Avenue T. The $250.000 facility was built with a loan against delinquent taxes. Lewis Lloyd Oliver was the architect and 3 - R Trust and Cecil Hart were the contractors. The one-story brick and metal building is planned to be used eventually as the school district's warehouse.”
“The center has been housed in the antiquated Washington Annex across the street from Public School Stadium. Started several years ago as a last stop for behavior problems before they were expelled from class, the center has evolved into a testing and rehabilitation center for students who for a number of reasons — be they behavioral, emotional or educational — have difficulty adjusting to their middle school or the high school environment. Students the center arc referred by their school principal for an indefinite time, until they arc deemed by center evaluators and their principals ready to return to regular classes. The district has arranged with the University of Texas Medical Branch to receive special psychological consultative services for the GISD special services division, which includes the center: The new center building, a project of approximately $225,000, was built with a student loan. The less severely handicapped attend classes with other students and receive special assistance from their resource teachers placed In the schools. The special education program was put into operation under the leadership of Joe Ellis, director of special education for a number of years.”
Booker T. Washington Elementary School was located at 2712 Avenue M, Galveston, Texas, US 77550. Its address today is 1217 27th Street, Galveston, Texas, US 77550 (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/30163490/)
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